//------------------------------// // Chapter 1- Yay Libraries! // Story: Shadows of the Past // by TheSupremeLeaderOfChaos //------------------------------// "Princess Celestia!" The purple alicorn's happy exclamation rang across the throne room, as the Princess of the Sun turned to greet her. "Twilight Sparkle!" Princess Celestia curled a wing around her former student and hugged her tightly. "How are you? I am very happy that you were able to come see us after all!" "Oh, Princess, you know a little sprained ankle wouldn't keep me from my visit!" "Ah still don't think it's good to be up and about after that tumble ya took, Twi," Applejack grumbled, plopping her bag onto the floor next to her. "I have to say, I do agree. We just don't want you to injure yourself further, darling," Rarity said, glancing down sheepishly. "Aw, come on you guys! Twilight's tough!" Rainbow Dash swooped down next to the purple mare, putting a hoof around her defiantly. "Like me!" "Yeah, she'll be a-okay in not too long!" Pinkie grinned. "Well, it was Twilight's decision," Fluttershy put in, before shrinking back slightly. "R-remember?" "A decision Ah don't agree with," Applejack said firmly. "Well, I think I'm fine. I tested it out this morning, walked around a bit, and it felt alright," Twilight said, waving her front left hoof in the farm pony's face. "End of discussion." "End of what discussion?" A familiar, deep voice spoke, echoing off the walls. Everypony's eyes narrowed slightly, save for Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. "Discord?" Fluttershy asked, perking up. With a flash of light, the draconequus appeared next to her. "My dear Fluttershy! Looking yellow and shy as usual, I see!" He patted her lightly on the head a few times before smirking at her. "And you're just as mix-matched and arrogant as usual, I can see," Fluttershy jabbed back before looking slightly shocked at her bravery. Discord chuckled. "Getting better, dear, getting better, but still not good as me!" He booped her on the nose. Fluttershy smiled slightly at his hidden compliment. "What do you want, Discord?" Celestia suppressed the urge to roll her eyes as she spoke. "Can't I say hi to my friend as well?" Discord flashed over to her. "Never thought that you of all ponies would be selfish." He poked her crown lightly. Scowling, Celestia moved her head out of his reach. "By the way, I don't think anypony ever answered my question. What discussion?" Discord examined the talons on his eagle claw. Twilight sighed. "It's not that important, Discord. I just sprained my ankle and some of my friends don't think I should be moving about," Twilight narrowed her eyes at Applejack and Rarity, though there was no real malice in her glare. "Sprained your ankle?" Discord repeated. If Twilight hadn't known better, she could have sworn she heard a hint of panic in his voice, but when she turned to look at him, he looked as carefree as ever, twirling a marble in his fingers. "Yeah, I fell down the stairs at the library, that's all. I gave Spike quite a fright, but it was totally my fault, trying to go down the stairs while still reading my book," She giggled at her own stupidity. Discord had stopped twirling the marble and was staring at Twilight as if she had grown a second head. "What're ya staring at?" Applejack questioned. Discord blinked and glanced at her. "Oh, just amazed how the Princess of the Year could be so clumsy, that's all." His statement sounded normal, coming from him, but Twilight couldn't shake the odd feeling that Discord was somehow worried about the tumble down the library stairs. That feeling, and the way Discord kept throwing sidelong glances at her wrapped hoof made her slightly uncomfortable. Celestia finally gave up and allowed herself to roll her eyes at Discord's statement. "Come now, my little ponies... and... big draconequus," She added, seeing that Discord had no intention of leaving. "I have the whole day planned!" The Princess smiled. "First, something I'm sure you'll be excited about, Twilight, they have renovated the Starswirl the Bearded wing of the castle library! I want you ponies to be the first to see it!" Twilight's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh! Let's go!" She took off, leaving the rest to follow behind, Discord slowest of all. Under his breath, he muttered, "The Starswirl the Bearded what?" "Woah." That about summed it up. The entire wing looked completely different. The walls were made of glass, giving a dizzying look down to the rest of Canterlot, while the shelves of books were made of a white marble. The floor was mahogany, and the ceiling, also made of marble, was twice as high as before, curving into a dome with beautiful embroideries covering it. As the centerpiece was a beautiful statue of swirling metal rod with several stars adorning it. The room positively glowed with impressive beauty. "Oh. My. Gosh." Twilight had the most ridiculous expression on her face, awe mixed with happiness mixed with curiosity. Discord, for some reason, did not take advantage of the situation to tease her, and stood quietly in the back while the rest of the ponies began to mill about. "There are no books on parties!" Pinkie complained, throwing another book to the side. Rarity facehoofed, and began putting books back from the pile beside Pinkie. "Of course not, darling," Rarity explained patiently. "He wouldn't have written anything about fashion either. It simply isn't what philosophers write about." "Hey!" Applejack grinned. "Ah found one about farmin'! Apparently he was more than justa philosopher after all!" She stuck her tongue out at Rarity and began to read the book intently. "And here's one about dangerous weather!" Rainbow crowed. "I wonder how different storms were in those days?" Fluttershy's eyes brightened as she found a book about magical creatures. She flew over to Discord and held the book out. "Do you want to read it with me?" She asked quietly, holding it out towards him. Discord glared at the book like it had personally offended him, then grabbed it gently from her hooves. "Magical Creatures Across the World, huh?" He looked up at her hopeful face and sighed. "Ugh, fine." Fluttershy clapped her hooves together in delight and settled down next to him to read. Meanwhile, Celestia was perusing a fascinating book on ancient cultures while Twilight searched for one certain work of Starswirl's. "Aha! Here it is!" Twilight grabbed the book out of her magic and set it down next to a cushion for her to read. It was the book that had contained Starswirl's one unfinished spell. While she knew that one far too well for her liking, there were hundreds of other spells in the book that she had never heard of! Not two minutes after she had settled down to read, Twilight felt the oddest sensation in her stomach. It felt almost as if she was on a rollercoaster, and the ride had just taken a very sharp fall down. She began to see stars, and blinked, wondering if she was about to pass out. Suddenly, she realized that the stars were real, and surrounding her body at a very rapid pace. Twilight found her voice, and cried out. Everypony looked up in shock. "Twilight!" Princess Celestia yelled. The white alicorn reached for her in alarm, but the strange magic surrounding her deflected both her hooves and her magic. Next to Fluttershy's terrified form, Discord's eyes widened in an unknown emotion, and he muttered something under his breath. "I'll save ya, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash yelled. She cannoned forward, wings pumping. She promptly was knocked backward by a stray star. All of this, which happened in mere seconds, seemed to Twilight like years. Scared out of her wits, she could only watch as the blinding light surrounded her like a cocoon. With a sudden jolt, she felt herself be thrown backwards into nothingness, and she closed her eyes against the light as she fainted.